El Salvador opens field hospital in Venezuela to support earthquake survivors
El Salvador has established a field hospital in Venezuela's La Guaira state to provide medical care for people affected by the powerful earthquakes that struck the country on June 24.
Footage released on Saturday showed Salvadoran medical personnel setting up the temporary facility on Playa Grande's main avenue, while residents arrived to receive treatment.
The hospital, deployed as part of El Salvador's humanitarian assistance, provides medical services for people of all ages and also offers veterinary care for companion animals, including dogs and cats.
The initiative was launched by the government of President Nayib Bukele in response to the earthquake emergency.
The Salvadoran team includes doctors, paramedics and veterinary staff. Medical personnel will provide care around the clock, while veterinary services for pets will operate daily from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Services available at the field hospital include medical consultations, emergency stabilisation for seriously injured patients, psychological support for survivors and treatment for injured or vulnerable domestic animals.
The deployment follows the first phase of El Salvador's emergency response, during which Salvadoran rescue teams helped search for people trapped beneath collapsed buildings and assisted with debris removal in affected areas.
The twin earthquakes struck Venezuela on June 24, when a magnitude 7.2 earthquake was followed 39 seconds later by a stronger magnitude 7.5 quake. The disaster caused widespread destruction across several states, including La Guaira, and triggered thousands of aftershocks.
According to figures released on Saturday, the earthquakes have killed 4,333 people and injured 16,740 others. Authorities said 31,193 patients have received hospital treatment, with more than 90% having since been discharged.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
